Speaking to the Diyalog newspaper, former TRNC President Derviş Eroğlu said that the party which always left the negotiating table and refused to sign agreements throughout the course of the Cyprus negotiations had consistently been the Greek Cypriot side, and that this should be explained to the world.

Like this:

Legendary Irish rockers the Boomtown Rats played to a large crowd at the Eastern Mediterranean University sports field on Friday 21st April.. The event was the 7th annual ‘Rock n’EMU’ concert, admission was free, and it was open to students and local residents.

The evening started with a performance by local group the Mağusa Müzik Band. They were a large band of good musicians who played a number of well known cover versions from well known artists (including Bob Marley and Osibisa) very well. They got the interest going, and warmed the crowd up well for the main event.

After a suitable interval, The Boomtown Rats took to the stage and powered straight into their first number, followed immediately by the catchy “Like Clockwork”. It is only when I heard the first few numbers live that I realised how the power of the tight rhythm section of drummer Simon Crowe and bass player Pete Briquette provide the foundation for the whole performance.

Singer Bob Geldof, now aged 65, showed amazing energy and ran from side to side of the stage while singing “(She’s Gonna) Do You In” then spoke to the crowd for the first time. He denounced the culture of the surveillance society as an introduction to the band’s powerful “Always Someone Looking at You”, one of the highlights of their set.

Bob Geldof then reminded the crowd that the band were from Dublin, another divided island. “We’re from Ireland” he said. “We don’t like nationalism – it kills people!” This was a lead into “Banana Republic” which denounced the role of Priests in their ‘sceptic isle’

(He also denounced Erdogan and Putin which seemed to go down well with the audience!).

At one point Bob asked the audience the question. “How long does it take to get from Larnaca to Famagusta?” My immediate thought was “just over an hour, Bob,” but of course his question was rhetorical, and he replied “40 years!” He then urged people to ignore politicians, imams and priests and unite.

Following this the band stormed into a fast paced version of “She’s so Modern” before the thoughtful and poignant “I Don’t like Mondays.” and after two more numbers closed the set with two hits form 1977/8, “Looking after no 1” and “Rat Trap”. They returned for an encore with “Diamond Smiles.”

There was a good crowd present, difficult to estimate numbers but several thousand.The majority were probably EMU students, yet they seemed to know the songs and were a very enthusiastic audience. Many were waving mobile ‘phones and cameras, so I’m sure there are loads of ‘photos in circulation. I must admit it feels a bit strange when you are one of the oldest people at a gig like this, but comforting to know that at least I’m younger than all the band members!

The Boomtown Rats formed in the mid-1970s and broke up in 1986. In 2013, four of the original members reformed the band, Pete Briquette (bass), Simon Crowe (drums), Gary Roberts (lead guitar) and Bob Geldof (vocals). Two others, Johnnie Fingers (keyboards) and Gerry Cott (guitarist) did not rejoin, but the band have added new musicians to stay as a six piece.

I’ve seen other ‘historic’ bands like The Animals, Barclay James Harvest, and both versions of Wishbone Ash, but all of these have one original member, and whilst they sound good, it is not quite the real thing. However the Boomtown Rats really are the band you expect, and I have a feeling they are playing better today than they ever did.

The success of this event, and the Deep Purple concert a few years ago shows there is an audience for top acts on this island. Let’s hope it is not too long before others come and perform in Cyprus.

Editor’s note:

For those folk who could not be there to see The Boomtown Rats in Famagusta, we show below a great video recording placed on Youtube by Iain Jordan.

President Akıncı evaluates leaders’ meeting

President Mustafa Akıncı said that although “the equal treatment of Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot citizens” and “active participation in decisions in the federal government” issues could be reasonably solved, these issues are still unsolved due to the Greek Cypriot side’s stance. “If it continues like this, it will be difficult to reach a solution” said Akıncı.

President Akıncı made a statement at the Presidency following the meeting held with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades.

In his statement, Akıncı evaluated the Navtex, or notice to mariners, issued by Turkey and the Greek Cypriot side’s decision to prevent Serbian children who arrived on the island through South Cyprus to attend the International Children’s Festival Celebrations in the TRNC.

President Akıncı stated that Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades mentioned the Navtex at the beginning of the meeting and also expressed his concerns.

Explaining why a Navtex was issued, Akıncı said, “This is due to the fact that the Greek Cypriot side is insisting on unilaterally exploring for hydrocarbon, but the Turkish Cypriots also have the right to hydrocarbon exploration in Cyprus.”

President Akıncı said that the Navtex was issued in response to unilateral steps taken by the Greek Cypriot side for the hydrocarbon exploration off the coast of the island.

Earlier this week, Turkey issued a Navtex and announced that it is sending its research and seismographic research vessel Barbaros to Cyprus, accompanied by a support vessel Bravo to carry out research in the area of Gazimağusa from 21 April until 30 June 2017.

President Akıncı has criticised the Greek Cypriot side’s decision to turn away Serbian children who arrived on the island via South Cyprus to attend the International Children’s Festival Celebrations in the TRNC.

The President said, “I want to underline this last behaviour, which has really hurt our confidence in the Greek Cypriot side. Children came to the TRNC from different parts of the world for the celebration of International Children’s Day on 23rd April. There were some children from Serbia, Russia and Lithuania among them. They were turned away from Larnaca Airport for reasons I do not understand right now. It seems that the Lithuanians had no problem with their transition to the TRNC because of their EU membership. However, it is known that Serbian and Russian children could not pass. The fact that children were prevented from attending such a day is very significant in terms of hurting the relationship of trust between our countries. It is also unfair to the children”.

Discussing the leaders’ meeting yesterday, the president said that they concentrated on two main issues at the meeting, Akıncı said that these issues were “the equal treatment of Turkish and Greek citizens” and “active participation in decisions in the federal government.”

“We have three meetings left, on 2nd, 11th and 17th of May. If we continue in this framework, unfortunately it will be difficult to reach a conclusion. I do not want to be a pessimistic and I do not want to emphasize negativity, but everybody knows that reaching a conclusion would be even more difficult after July” said President Akıncı.

Ertuğruloğlu meets Qatar Minister of Education Al-Hammadi

Foreign Minister Ertuğruloğlu, who held meetings in Qatar within the framework of his contact programme in Gulf countries, met with Qatar Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul Wahid Al-Hammadi this week.

They discussed how the Qatar government supports its citizens in higher education, what can be done for Qatar citizens in order to encourage them to attend universities in the TRNC, and ways the TRNC can cooperate with the Qatar government.

Ertuğruloğlu gave detailed information to Al-Hammadi about the TRNC and Higher Education in the TRNC.

Pointing out that the other important area in the TRNC besides higher education is tourism, Ertuğruloğlu said that the TRNC universities will go to Qatar to promote the universities and both governments can cooperate in the promotion of tourism to the TRNC

Al- Hammadi posed questions on the economy, tourism and trade in the TRNC as well as TRNC higher education, expressing his wish to learn more about Cyprus.

Stating that over 22,000 students from the member countries of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation have come to the TRNC, Ertuğruloğlu said that the Government wants to increase the number of students from Qatar.

Indicating that the TRNC Doha Representative Office is always ready for cooperation, Ertuğruloğlu also mentioned the Cyprus problem. He said,

“The Cyprus problem is continuing and we are facing some problems in higher education, tourism and trade issues because there are no direct flights due to embargoes in the TRNC.

The negotiations have been continuing for 50 years but no success has been achieved, because, finding a solution in Cyprus does not seem possible in the current system. A solution is not possible as long as the negotiations are on-going between a ‘state’ and a ‘community’. The Greek Cypriots, have been accepted as a state, and also have the advantages of the UN and EU memberships. They see us as a minority – why should they want a solution? ”

The conference entitled “2nd International Banking and Financial Perspectives” organized by Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Faculty of Business and Economics and the Department of Banking and Finance, will begin today with the opening speeches at Rauf Raif Denktaş Culture and Congress Centre.

About 120 academicians, who are experts in banking and finance, from 15 different countries are expected to attend the conference.

“Festival of North Cyprus” to be held in London

The “Festival of North Cyprus” will take place in London between 5-6 May at the Business Design Centre in Islington. The Festival is organized by North Cyprus UK with support from the Ministry of Tourism and Environment.

Businesspeople and investors from various sectors in North Cyprus, including academia, tourism, banking, industry, airlines, construction and estate agents are expected to attend the festival.

Irish rock band, the Boomtown Rats will be in Cyprus this week, performing at the 7th annual ‘Rock n’EMU’ event at Eastern Mediterranean University this Friday 21st Apri!. The event will be at the stadium on the University Campus, the general public is invited, and entrance will be free. The event starts at 7:30 PM, and the support act is the local Mağusa Müzik Band.

The Boomtown Rats were originally comprised of six members mostly from the Dun Laoghaire area. They formed in 1975, and had their first chart success with “Looking After no. 1” in 1977, followed by the single “Mary of the 4th Form” which was also from their debut album. The follow up LP “Tonic for the Troops” spawned three single successes, “Like Clockwork”, “She’s so Modern” and “Rat Trap” (which reached number one). In 1979 the band recorded their third album with the single “I Don’t Like Mondays” which probably is remembered as much for its striking video as for the music. The song told a powerful story about a school shooting in America that shocked the world at the time, but sadly has been followed by so many more similar tragedies since.

The band had some success with their next two albums, and associated singles, but did not reach the levels of their earlier triumphs, and they called it a day in 1986.

In the meantime lead singer Bob Geldof achieved worldwide fame (and an honorary Knighthood) for his work on famine relief. Prompted by Miucahel Buerk’s harrowing reports from Ethiopia he got a load of famous musicians together to record the charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas” at the end of 2004. He then followed this with the idea for the Live Aid concerts in London and Philadelphia in the summer of 2005.

After a couple of one-off gigs and guest performances, the Boomtown Rats reformed in 2013. Bob Geldof said, “Playing again with the Rats and doing those great songs again will be exciting and fresh. We were an amazing band and I just feel it’s the right time to re-Rat, to go back to Boomtown for a visit.”

The current version of the Boomtown Rats comprises four of the original six members, and they have been touring steadily since they re-formed. After Famagusta they will go on to play in England, Austria, Norway, and back home in Ireland.

This is a rare opportunity to see a famous band in North Cyprus, and it would be good to see them play to a packed stadium in Famagusta and to tempt you to join them, we have included below a video showing The Boomtown Rats singing that famous song, I Don’t Like Mondays.

Road map for joint understanding between Akıncı and Guterres outlined

The details of the roadmap for the joint understanding between President Mustafa Akıncı and the UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres, have been set out following their meeting in Brussels earlier this week. It was planned that the Greek Cypriot side’s decision to commemorate the Enosis plebiscite at schools will be revoked on Friday, April 7, and the negotiations will be resumed on Tuesday, April 11.

According to information received by the AA news agency, the previous day’s meeting agenda, which lasted for an hour and a half in Brussels, included plans in case the Greek Cypriot Parliament does not reach a result concerning the elimination of the commemoration of the Enosis Plebiscite at schools on Friday. If this is the case, it was clarified that the planned leaders’ meeting on Tuesday, April 11 will not take place.

It was reported that Guterres agreed with Akıncı’s stance and confirmed that it would not be possible to restart the negotiations, which are planned to continue on Tuesday, should the Greek Cypriot Parliament fail to revoke the Enosis decision. He further said that the responsibility would fall on the Greek Cypriot side if this is the case.

The agency reported that that Akıncı and Guterres’s approaches towards the Enosis decision correspond with one another; and it was stressed that “the negotiation ground can only be formed if this decision is revoked”.

Akıncı: “Serious work to be done” to harmonise TRNC institutions with the EU acquis if solution is reached

President Mustafa Akıncı has said that that if a solution is reached on the island, and the Turkish Cypriot people become one of the constituent states and equal partners of a new partnership, “serious work” is needed to ensure the harmonization of the TRNC institutions with the EU acquis.

Akıncı said, “When we reach a solution, we want the Euro to go into circulation from the first day”

Making a statement after his meetings with Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels, Akıncı said that he addressed the issues in detail at the meeting with Juncker. Akıncı said that they discussed the reasons for the deadlock in the negotiation process and why these are important for the Turkish Cypriots, as well as the framework for the new negotiation process that will begin on Tuesday.

He said, “In the forthcoming process, we will try to make progress on the important issues regarding the Cyprus issue. We will try to achieve greater rapprochements on these matters and I hope the Geneva conference will resume with the EU in attendance as an observer. The EU has confirmed that it is ready to sustain its relations with the Turkish Cypriot side”.

Stating that the communication channels between the EU and the Turkish Cypriot people will always be open, Akıncı expressed that both meetings were constructive and fruitful.

President Akıncı also met with the US Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, Jonathan Cohen. At the meeting, the President explained the reasons the negotiation process has stalled and the stance of the Turkish Cypriot side. Akıncı also added that the Turkish Cypriot side is ready for the resumption of the negotiations on Tuesday, 11th of April, if circumstances develop positively. Cohen, for his part, stated that the US is ready to provide all kinds of support for the solution of the Cyprus problem upon request.

Özgürgün: Greek Cypriot’s Enosis decision designed “to bring darkness and conflict back to the future of Cyprus”

Prime Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün has said that the Greek Cypriot’s decision to commemorate the 1950 Enosis plebiscite would “bring darkness and conflict back to the future of Cyprus”

Prime Minister Özgürgün made the comments at a conference entitled “Cyprus” at the Near East University (NEU).

Ahead of the conference, the Near East University Golden Key Honorary Award was presented to Prime Minister Özgürgün by Dr. Suat İ. Günsel, Founding Rector of the Near East University.

Prime Minister Özgürgün evaluated the Cyprus problem from the British occupation to the present day, accompanied by presentation slides at the conference.

Prime Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün said that Cyprus is the longest-running and the greatest problem for the United Nations (UN) and that Cyprus is also the oldest problem in international relations.

Moreover, Özgürgün indicated that seven UN Secretary Generals have been in place until today, but despite their struggles, the Cyprus problem has still not been solved.

Özgürgün added that the Security Council Resolution no. 186 on Cyprus had clarified that the Cyprus problem began in 1963 and that there was no occupation in 1974.

EMU listed among the World’s Best Young Universities

UK-based Times Higher Education (THE), one of the most reputable publishers of the worldwide university rankings, announced The World’s Best Young Universities Rankings 2017, the list of the world’s best universities under the age of 50.

In the rankings, the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) from the TRNC has achieved remarkable success, and was ranked within the 151-200 band.

The Times Higher Education ‘Under 50 Rankings’ applies performance indicators to provide most comprehensive and balanced comparisons between institutions. The performance indicators are grouped into five areas, namely teaching quality, scientific research, citations, international outlook and industrial income. Featuring 200 institutions, the World’s Best Young Universities Rankings have been announced on the official webpage of the Times Higher Education.

Source: TRNC Public Information Office –

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